Greece Faces Major Strike, Public Transport Disrupted

The news in Greek

Translation

A general strike is taking place in Greece on Wednesday, 20th November. Employees from both the public and private sectors, including transport, health, and education, are participating. The strikers are demanding better salaries and working conditions. In Athens, transport services like buses and trains are operating on a limited schedule. Protests are being held in Athens and other cities.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: What are the workers in Greece asking for?

The workers are asking for better salaries and working conditions.

Question 2: Which sectors are involved in the strike in Greece?

The sectors involved include transport, health, and education.

Exercise: Vocabulary

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▌20/11/2024

On Wednesday, November 20, Greece is experiencing significant disruptions due to a 24-hour general strike organised by the country's major unions, the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the Civil Servants' Confederation (ADEDY). The strike is largely in response to rising living costs and aims to push for increased wages and improved working conditions.

This widespread strike has seen participation from a range of public and private sectors, including transport, healthcare, and education. As a result, public transport service across Greece is severely impacted. In Athens, metro services on Lines 1, 2, and 3 are operational only within limited hours: Line 1 operates from 9 am to 9 pm, while Lines 2 and 3 are available from 9 am to 5 pm. The tram service runs from 9 am until 8:30 pm.

Meanwhile, buses and trolleys in Athens will operate from 9 am to 9 pm, with scheduled stoppages at the beginning and end of the working day to accommodate the strike. In Thessaloniki, 50 buses will operate on a reduced service with personnel on standby to assist those with special needs via the night service to the airport (Route N1).

The railway system, including the suburb trains, is on a halt as rail workers join the strike, meaning no trains will run except those operated by a skeleton service team. The strike also sees the grounding of all ferry services nationwide, following a decision by the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation to join the strike in protest against the reduction in wages and benefits.

Greece Faces Major Strike, Public Transport Disrupted (Illustration)

In education, both public and private educators have joined the strike, resulting in widespread disruption across schools and universities. Healthcare services, especially in public hospitals, are also affected as medical staff participate, though emergency services remain operational.

The organisers of the strike, GSEE and ADEDY, have also scheduled protest gatherings in Athens and other major cities. In Athens, the protests are planned for 11 am at Klafthmonos Square, with a separate rally by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) slated for 10:30 am at the Propylea.

The strike centres around calls for the government to address urgent housing issues, reinstate collective bargaining rights, and combat profiteering that affects wage earners' purchasing power. Union leaders have also been vocal about the need for systematic wage increases, the return of the thirteenth and fourteenth month salaries, and increased funding for public services.

Both national and international bodies, including the European Trade Union Confederation, have expressed support for the strike, reinforcing its demands for better wages and working conditions amid the high rental prices and cost of living in Greece.

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